RK Mission in Chennai uses solar energy to prepare meals
It was in 2015 that Ramakrishna Mission's Students' Home in Mylapore, Chennai installed solar plant in its premises. This has helped the charitable institution to save on electricity costs as well as reduce monthly consumption of LPG cylinders from 80 to 20-25. They now use a solar thermal cooking system, which makes preparing food for 700 boys look like a cakewalk.
Head cook prepares 120kg rice, sambhar, rasam, vegetables and dal
The head cook Raja says he makes 120 kgs of rice every day, and although it may sound as a big effort, it's all under control because of this system. Along with rice, he also prepares sambhar, rasam, vegetables and dal. The system generates enough steam to cook an equivalent of 3,500-4,000 meals for the students and residents of the Mission daily, said authorities.
It captures maximum solar energy, continuously turns water into steam
The ARUN®100 solar thermal system, which has a web-based data logging equipment attached, captures maximum solar energy and continuously turns water into steam. This is piped to an accumulator, which is connected to the kitchen. The accumulator allows storage of unused steam in a large insulated storage tank. As part of maintenance, the reflector mirrors are cleaned once in two days.
RK Mission got system via UNDP-Government of India deal
The 109-year-old educational institution got the solar heating system via a partnership between the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Government of India. Financed by Global Environment Facility, the thermal system was brought in from Mumbai-based Clique Solar.
'Satisfaction by putting solar energy to good use is immense'
"The satisfaction we derive from putting previously wasted solar energy to good use is immense," said Swami Satyajnanananda, Students' Home Secretary of the Mission. He further says that exposing students to environment-friendly technology is "something very important for the future of the world." The Mission was also awarded the highest grade of certification by the Indian Green Building Council for its environment-friendly measures.
